First Caucasus Mountain Forum

On 28-30 November 2016, the First Caucasus Mountain Forum (CMF) was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, gathering over 150 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland, Poland, Kenya, etc. The Forum was organized within the framework of the SCOPES project «Supporting Sustainable Mountain Development in the Caucasus», with funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the United Nations Environment Programme.

The First CMF was hosted by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and Ilia State University. The rectors of the respective universities, as well as the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Olivier Bürki made welcoming remarks.

The CMF served as an important opportunity for scientists, governmental experts, and practitioners to meet and exchange views on opportunities and challenges, and thereby seek to enhance (sub)-regional dialogue and contribute to the better coordination of sustainable development of the Caucasus region. The Forum's overall goal and long-term objective is to support regional cooperation and joint research among Caucasus scientists and thereby promote evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development.